Study Medicine in the USA – A Complete Pathway for Students in Australia

Many prospective medical students assume that the UK and Australia are the best places to study medicine – but this isn’t necessarily true. The USA offers higher earning potential, more subspecialties, and broader career opportunities. Through the ACPHS + WAUSM pathway, you can complete a US-style medical education with affordable cost while opening doors to practising in the USA, Australia and other countries. 

If you’re an Australian or international student looking for a clear, structured route to becoming a doctor, the ACPHS (Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences) + WAUSM (Western Atlantic University School of Medicine) provide you with an excellent option. This pathway offers you:

• A US-recognised medical degree, designed to help you pursue practice in the USA, Australia and beyond (depending on each country’s registration and licensing rules).
• Training at highly ranked, respected institutions in health, science and medicine.

Below are some highlights on the reputation of the two providers: ACPHS and WAUSM.

ACPHS – Elite Outcomes Without the Elite Attitude

The first phase of the 6-year pathway is delivered at a WAUSM partner university such as Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS). This is a major advantage, because your “pre-medicine” years are spent at a specialised health sciences institution with outstanding outcomes.

ACPHS stands out for several reasons:

• Exceptional Return on Investment
  Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce ranks ACPHS #1 in New York State for return on investment, and #2 nationwide in a broader study.
• Outperforming Famous Universities
  In a 2022 CEW report, ACPHS actually outperformed institutions like Harvard, Stanford and MIT in long-term financial returns for graduates.
• Top Value-Added College in the US
  A Brookings Institution “value-added” study rated ACPHS as the #1 value-added college nationally, with alumni earning a median salary of about USD $110,600 ten years after enrolment – well above the national average.
• Strong Reputation in Health Sciences
  ACPHS is ranked #2 among pharmacy schools in New York State and #60 nationally in USA, according to News & World Report’s pharmacy program rankings.

Beyond rankings, ACPHS offers rich hands-on learning experiences, including:

• The Collaboratory, which provides community health services and medication counselling in underserved communities.
• The Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET), which focuses on industry-ready training, including biopharmaceutical manufacturing and unique FDA-related fellowships.

All of this means your first degree is already a strong qualification, not just a box to tick on the way to medicine degree.

WAUSM – A Modern Medical School Built for US & Global Success

After building your science foundation, you transition to Western Atlantic University School of Medicine (WAUSM), which delivers a modern, US-focused medical education.

Key features of WAUSM include:

• Accreditation that meets standards comparable to US medical school accreditation.
• A curriculum deliberately designed around USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) success and real-world clinical readiness.
• Small class sizes and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing close interaction with teaching staff and personalised academic support, which is ideal for international students.
• An active, flipped classroom approach that focuses on engagement, problem-solving and clinical thinking.
• A US-based clerkship program, with clinical rotations in teaching hospitals across the United States.
• The first-time pass rate on USMLE Step 1 in 2025 for students in the ACPHS + WAUSM pathway is 100%, which is higher than any US medical schools.

Together, ACPHS and WAUSM create a high-reputation dual pathway that positions you competitively in both the US and global healthcare markets.

With this pathway, many graduates can:

• Complete residency and practise in the USA, where doctor salaries are among the highest in the world. As a guide, recent data shows that:
  • Residents (doctors in specialty training) typically earn around USD $60,000–$70,000 per year, depending on the specialty, location, and year of training.
  • Fully qualified physicians in practice often earn well above USD $250,000 per year, with many specialists (such as cardiologists, radiologists, and surgeons) commonly earning in the range of USD $350,000–$500,000+ per year, depending on experience, employer, and region.
    These figures highlight why the USA is considered one of the most financially rewarding destinations for medical professionals.
• Pursue recognition of their qualifications in Australia or other countries, using their US-style MD and training as a strong foundation when applying for local registration.

The combination of globally recognised qualifications, US clinical training, high earning potential and strong academic outcomes makes this pathway especially attractive for students seeking long-term flexibility in where they live and practise medicine.

You can enter the ACPHS + WAUSM pathway at two main points: directly from high school or after completing a bachelor’s degree.

1. Six-Year Medical Degree (High School Entry)

This is ideal if you want a direct pathway from high school to a Medicine Degree. About 70% of WAUSM’s APMD program is US-based.

Years 1–3: ACPHS or Another US Partner University
You begin on a health-focused US campus, where you:

• Immerse yourself in the sciences from day one,
• Adapt early to US academic expectations, and
• Build the strong scientific foundation required for medicine.

Year 4: WAUSM, Freeport – Grand Bahama (Pre-Clerkship)
You then move into a dedicated medical education environment, where you:

• Study pre-clerkship medical sciences in a modern campus in the Bahamas,
• Prepare intensively for USMLE Step 1, supported by structured teaching and academic coaching, and
• On completion of this phase, receive your Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from your US partner university (e.g., ACPHS).

Years 5–6: Clinical Training in US Teaching Hospitals
Finally, you transition to the clinic:

• Complete core clerkships and elective rotations in hospitals across the United States, and
• Build relationships with US physicians and secure letters of recommendation, which are vital for residency applications.

2. Four-Year Medical Degree (For Bachelor’s Graduates)

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree (often in a science-related area), you may enter the 4-year MD pathway:

• 2 years at WAUSM in the Bahamas, focusing on pre-clerkship and systems-based medical sciences.
• 2 years of clinical clerkships in US teaching hospitals, gaining hands-on experience and exposure to the US healthcare system.

Across both the 6-year and 4-year options, the pathway is designed to:

• Move you step by step from classroom learning to clinical practice,
• Support you through each major transition (US campus → WAUSM → US hospitals), and
• Position you strongly for US residency and future global practice.

English Language

You will need to meet one of the following minimum scores:

• IELTS (Academic): Overall 6.5 with at least 6.5 in Writing
• TOEFL iBT: Minimum score 79
• Duolingo English Test: Minimum score 112

Academic

• ATAR: From 90 (or equivalent international ranking).

Interview

As with Australian medical schools, you will be expected to attend an interview. This helps the school assess your suitability, motivation, and readiness for the program.

Application Documentation

A complete application typically includes:

• A Personal Statement/Essay explaining your motivation and goals,
• Transcripts from the last 3 years (Year 12, 11 and 10), and
• Three Letters of Recommendation (for example, from a teacher, counsellor, or academic referee).

Our Support – From First Enquiry to Departure

If you wish to apply for this medical program, you won’t be doing it alone. We can assist you with:

• Admission guidance and document preparation,
• Interview arrangement and preparation,
• Pre-departure orientation, and

Visa assistance and general study-abroad support.

Medicine is a major financial commitment, whether you study in Australia or overseas. The key advantage of the ACPHS + WAUSM pathway is that you are investing in a fully structured, time-efficient and globally focused route to becoming a doctor.

Approximate Program Fees (Before Scholarships)

• 6-year MD (BSc + MD): ~AUD $533,000 (USD $347,000)
• 4-year MD: ~AUD $410,000 (USD $267,000)

These figures are typically more affordable than many comparable medical programs in the USA and UK, especially when you factor in outcomes, US clinical exposure, and scholarships.

How Does This Compare to Studying Medicine in Australia as an International Student?

For international students in Australia, approximate tuition costs are:

• First Bachelor’s Degree (3–4 years):
  • Around AUD $50,000 – $55,000 per year
  • Total: AUD $150,000 – $220,000
• Doctor of Medicine (4 years):
  • Around AUD $100,000 per year
  • Total: Around AUD $400,000

Total investment in Australia: approximately AUD $550,000 – $620,000 for a complete medical pathway.

In contrast, with ACPHS + WAUSM, you are funding:

• A direct and clearly defined medical pathway,
• Dual qualifications with strong international credibility, and
• Access to US residency, where junior doctor salaries are among the highest in the world.

The financial picture becomes even more attractive when you consider scholarship options available to eligible students:

• Up to AUD $110,000 in scholarships on the 6-year MD pathway: With this, your total tuition may be reduced to around AUD $423,000 for the entire program.
• Up to AUD $75,000 in scholarships on the 4-year MD pathway: With this support, your total tuition may be as low as AUD $335,000 for the entire program.

These scholarships can significantly reduce your overall investment and improve your return over the long term. You can contact us on 07 3003 1899 or [email protected] for detailed advice on eligibility and how to strengthen your scholarship application.

Medical programs in Australia are extremely competitive, and international students may pay up to AUD $100,000 per year, or around AUD $600,000 for the entire program.

By choosing the ACPHS + WAUSM pathway, you gain:

• A structured, end-to-end route from high school (or bachelor’s degree) to a US-style MD,
• Global recognition potential, including pathways to practise in the USA and possibly Australia and other countries, and
• The chance to access top-tier salaries and diverse career opportunities as a doctor trained to US standards.

If you wish to explore this option, contact SOL Edu on 07 3003 1899 or [email protected] for free consultation and free admissions process.